Skywriting by Word of Mouth

About the Book

Written in its author’s much-imitated, never-duplicated voice, populated with his own illustrations, full of the wit and honesty that helped make him one of the most iconic, polarizing figures of the 20th Century, Skywriting by Word of Mouth is the lost and recovered, posthumously published autobiography of John Lennon.

Book Description

John Lennon wrote Skywriting by Word of Mouth, an impressive collection of writings and drawings, during Yoko Ono's pregnancy with Sean, and always planned to have it published. The book's publication was a wish that seemed to end with Lennon's assassination in 1980 and the theft of the manuscript from the Lennons' home in 1982. When it was recovered and first published in 1986, Skywriting received immediate critical and popular acclaim. Filled with Lennon's extraordinary creative powers and lavishly illustrated with his own drawings, the collection reveals his fertile creative spirit up close and in full force. Included in Skywriting are "Two Virgins," written when the public learned that John and Yoko were living together as husband and wife, and John's only autobiography, "The Ballad of John and Yoko." In addition there are notes on his falling in love with Yoko, the breakup of the Beatles, his persecution by U.S. authorities, and his withdrawal from public life. This is a book with John Lennon's spirit on every page—a spirit the world needs to remember.

Educator and Librarian Resources

Critical Praise

“John wrote Skywriting at a time when the world was wondering whatever happened to him. Why wasn’t he writing songs anymore? Well, this is what he was busy doing… I’m glad that I can now share these writings with you. I’m sure John would be, too.” —Yoko Ono (from the afterword)

“Had he never sung a note, John Lennon still might have made his mark - as a successor to Lewis Carroll, James Joyce, and other brilliantly playful molders and expanders of the English language.” —Los Angeles Times

“Candid and scathing...A reflection of its author’s creativity and enduring appeal.” —People

“Skywriting is a thrill… Lennon at his best.” —San Jose Mercury News

“It is no wonder John Lennon’s fans grow more in love with him as time goes by...His great influence on popular music makes him impossible to forget, so does this book.” —Houston Chronicle

“Marvelous, delightful reading and for John Lennon fans a must.” —Publishers Weekly

HarperCollins Reader

When you purchase e-books from HarperCollins, you can read it on our HarperCollins Reader App that is available on your iPhone/iPad, Android or Kindle Fire.

We encourage you to use the HC Reader App since it supports our type of e-book files and you may have some trouble with a different reader app.

Instructions

Please make sure you have a HarperCollins Account. If you purchase/have purchased an e-book from HarperCollins, this is your account login and password. Otherwise, please click here to register.

Download the HC Reader App on iPhone/iPad, Android or Kindle Fire and sign in with your HarperCollins account (your username is an e-mail address). Please note that Kindle Fire users must edit their settings (Settings < Device) to allow installation of apps in order to download the HC Reader App. This App is not available in the Amazon App Store.